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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by owensmar on August 23, 2004, at 19:48:09
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by tablasco1 on August 23, 2004, at 18:58:14
Two and a half months! I don't know how you've stood it. I went off Effexor very slowly then switched to St. John's Wort for a month and a half. During the SJW period I wasn't clinically severely depressed (in a ball on the floor weeping) but was lethargic and unhappy. So I went off the SJW and within a week was in the aforesaid ball on the floor.
I couldn't stand it and went back on the Effexor. WIthin a week I was hit with horrible anxiety, especially in the mornings. I'm now on Klonopin to deal with that and just waiting to see if it goes away. I've only been back on the Effexor 2.5 weeks. It used to help with anxiety.
This drug is so scary.
Posted by pablo1 on August 23, 2004, at 20:14:20
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal reasons...?, posted by Darla on August 23, 2004, at 12:01:45
Hey this sounds right to me. When I came off effexor I definitely felt like I was in dopamine heaven. It wasn't bad, actually pleasurable in my case. The brain zaps were on a continuum with body chills; the good kind like when you listen to great music. A lot of this was associated with the return of emotions (I didn't even realize they were blunted) but coming off, whoah, I had feelings again! I'm currently taking some dopamine enhancing meds ordered online and the feeling is somewhat similar. So maybe effexor has the norep & seratonin so pumped up that you maybe even boost your dopamine some but relatively it's low and when you stop the effexor the dopamine has free reign and is turned loose to do it's thing on it's own. I think you got it backwards with the Parkinsons thing though, the way I see it, effexor withdrawal would cure Parkinsons not cause it.
I wonder how folks who experienced bad effexor withdrawal relate to dopamine? The survector and amisulpride I'm trying gives me sort of a sweet feeling; and literally I have a sweet taste in my mouth the flavor of the pills. It's stimulating in a way (clenched jaw sometimes) but much more smooth than ritalin or wellbutrin's rattly norepinephrine tainted adrenaline effect. It does make me feel a bit dopey actually. It does not particularly enhance my mental abilities the way ritalin is known but does help me to be more patient, less unsettled - scattered I don't know if it's more grounded but something along those lines.
But stuff like filling out a timesheet, I felt like a moron today (which is pretty normal for me for things like dialing fax numbers and transfering numbers into a spreadsheet. Hmm maybe that was more of the reward system in play that I hate the burden of doing time sheets but I could have fun working numbers as part of another project which I find rewarding and fun. And I'm certainly not depressed.
Posted by Red al on August 24, 2004, at 4:49:12
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by tablasco1 on August 23, 2004, at 18:58:14
I was on Effexor 75mg a day for 18 months. Stopped taking it 7 weeks ago and I still feel pretty out of it. Just exhausted all the time and feel quite detached from everything.
At first the side effects were quite physical...just felt sick a lot etc. But then they became more emotional, crying and feeling very "thin". They seem to be passing now and I'm just left feeling very tired, and with quite blurry vision. I'm going to see how I feel at three months and take it from there. But fingers crossed things are heading in the right direction.
Al x
Posted by lorily on August 24, 2004, at 7:57:38
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by Red al on August 24, 2004, at 4:49:12
Red, Did you just stop cold from 75 mg to nothing? That's probably why you still feel the effects of withdrawal. From reading here, I was scared that I would have side effects for months, but I weaned of a tiny bit at a time and my effects didn't last too long after I was off completely. Once in a while, like once a week for a couple minutes I feel a slight bit disoriented, but that might just be my nerves, it seems to happen just when I'm nervous about something, not every time I'm nervous, but that's the only time I can recall it happening.
Posted by lorily on August 24, 2004, at 8:07:23
In reply to Re: Need help with effexor withdrawal, posted by tablasco1 on August 23, 2004, at 19:04:04
dramamine, I actually thought it would help me with the dizziness when I turned my eyes, the equilibrium thing, made sense. I guess it helped a bit. I didn't really have nausea
Posted by lorily on August 24, 2004, at 8:09:44
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by tablasco1 on August 23, 2004, at 18:58:14
That's too quick, my goodness no wonder you're still suffering. I hope you feel better soon.
Posted by Diane50 on August 24, 2004, at 9:53:11
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by lorily on August 24, 2004, at 7:57:38
I've just discovered these posts. THANK GOD! I'm weaning myself of Effexor & I'm "thrilled" that people feel just like me, especially the zaps. Thought I had a brain tumor. Go slow....doctors tells you nothing!
Posted by tablasco1 on August 24, 2004, at 11:33:33
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by owensmar on August 23, 2004, at 19:48:09
I have been a little better than the ball on the floor, which I'm glad you put it that way. Not much though, I spend a lot of time laying around the house and my wife goes and does many things on her own. I'm sorry you have experineced that, I hope you get through this. I have been going through this for so long, I never want to go back on any of these medications. I even took SAM-e for a few days and it made me throw up and also have more anxiety. I missed a few mornings of work. No matter how I am feeling right now, I do not want to take any other medications, just get back to who I was. Thank God I have a understanding workplace. I am hoping the worst has past.
Posted by tablasco1 on August 24, 2004, at 11:59:54
In reply to withdrawal, posted by jeanette on April 12, 2000, at 16:31:48
Wondering how many answers you received and what the average time of withdrawal was. I know this was a long time ago. Are you feeling better?
Posted by lorily on August 24, 2004, at 13:45:11
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by Diane50 on August 24, 2004, at 9:53:11
> I've just discovered these posts. THANK GOD! I'm weaning myself of Effexor & I'm "thrilled" that people feel just like me, especially the zaps. Thought I had a brain tumor. Go slow....doctors tells you nothing!
Here's something I found and posted last month. it was of great help!!!!!
I found this great site with all sorts of info
http://www.clinical-depression.co.uk/anti_depressants/withdrawal/venlafaxine.html
Posted by Californiakc on August 24, 2004, at 19:03:27
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by tablasco1 on August 24, 2004, at 11:33:33
I took Effexor-XR 150mg daily for two years. After talking it over with my doctor, I weaned myself off. It's probably been four months now. I had problems the first two and a half months and it took a lot of strength not to give in and go back on the Effexor. I also take Xanax and this is my next medication to go off of. I KNOW there's got to be a better way to work through my depression. I felt OK while on the Effexor (I did have those brain lightning bolts though), I was rather unemotional which was one of the reasons I didn't want to take it anymore. I read somewhere else (I don't remember where) that it could take up to a year to stop having complete withdrawal symptoms. I'm with tablascol, I won't take these medecines again if I can keep from it.
Calkc
Posted by Californiakc on August 24, 2004, at 19:26:22
In reply to Anyone else feel like this...., posted by Louoicu81 on August 23, 2004, at 12:57:30
That's EXACTLY the way I've been feeling!!!
CalKC
Posted by jeenobeano on August 24, 2004, at 20:45:09
In reply to Suffering and looking for answers, posted by Smileyjil on August 21, 2004, at 19:37:20
I've been w/drawing from Effexor, bit by bit, little by little, by taking out tiny granules day by day over the course of the pst 8 months. Also during the course of the past 8 months I've noticed my PMS symptoms have gone from basically nonexistant to absolutely through-the-roof horrendous -- excruciating cramps, nausea, the "girls" get incredibly sore and huge, etc. Has anyone else experienced this type of increase in PMS symptoms? I don't know if I need to be checked out for a hormone imbalance, or what. If I'll have PMS like this for the rest of mylife off Effexor I'm actually willing to consider getting back on it.
ANyway, thanks in advance...
Posted by Californiakc on August 24, 2004, at 21:23:53
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by jeenobeano on August 24, 2004, at 20:45:09
I don't know if this has any relation to the PMS symptoms that you are experiencing, but a few months ago I asked the doctor to do a blood test to see where my hormones were and the results were that I am IN menopause (I'm 52). I mean, I've done gone THROUGH and am actually menopausal! I couldn't tell by my periods as I had a partial hysterectomy when I was 39, but after all that I've been reading, including an article (I can't find it) on how taking Xanax can actually decrease your brain's production of GABA, making your brain "think" that it's producing it, really kind of made me think that we are doing a lot of things to our bodies and brains that we don't realize!
So many physicians take out that prescription pad and give us RXs for anxiety, or depression, etc... When I was put on Effexor-XR and Xanax, I had made an appointment to speak with a counselor. This counselor in turn set me up with an appointment with a psychiatrist who then wrote the prescriptions. There were a few follow ups with the psychiatrist to see how the meds were working, but NEVER any follow up counseling! I felt bad enough (I was close to suicidal) that I took the meds without any questiions, but what I really needed was someone to talk with and get advice from. I never got it.
Good luck with your symptoms!
KC
Posted by corafree on August 24, 2004, at 23:51:01
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by jeenobeano on August 24, 2004, at 20:45:09
> I've been w/drawing from Effexor, bit by bit, little by little, by taking out tiny granules day by day over the course of the pst 8 months. Also during the course of the past 8 months I've noticed my PMS symptoms have gone from basically nonexistant to absolutely through-the-roof horrendous -- excruciating cramps, nausea, the "girls" get incredibly sore and huge, etc. Has anyone else experienced this type of increase in PMS symptoms? I don't know if I need to be checked out for a hormone imbalance, or what. If I'll have PMS like this for the rest of mylife off Effexor I'm actually willing to consider getting back on it.
>
> ANyway, thanks in advance...
About Eff-XR, it didn't work for me until I read about poor metabolizers. I was told to take my second daily dose in/around evening. That totally did NOT work. But, when I took it at the time of day, or right before that time of day, that I was feeling terrible, it worked wonderfully. Just a thought cf
Posted by corafree on August 25, 2004, at 13:48:41
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers » jeenobeano, posted by corafree on August 24, 2004, at 23:51:01
Hi again. I forgot to say something about your PMS. I had it terribly....until about age 40 when I was agreeable to having a TAH-BSO (said he should have left one ovary afterwards!). You must have premenstural dysphoric disorder. That is where you absolutely do not feel like yourself. I felt 'paranoid' 'odd' ... just not me. I spent my two good weeks feeling guilty over the bad weeks. Boy did I torture myself. I saw a doc that was into hormonal imbalance and he tried everything, but seemed to end up on AD, first Prozac (ok), and then many others that did not work, now Effexor-XR (works, but like you my emotions are dulled a bit). I also took a benzo, which over the years really got up to high dose. After TAH-BSO, I felt the same way all the time. As I do now. I have BpersonD. Take Oil of Primrose. Drink lots of water. Have some fruit every day. best wishes cf
Posted by owensmar on August 25, 2004, at 14:28:34
In reply to Withdrawal reason - dopamine theory » Darla, posted by pablo1 on August 23, 2004, at 20:14:20
I've toyed with the idea of dopamine enhancing meds via the online route but don't know which of the companies to trust. Can you recommend any one in particular?
Marsha
Posted by owensmar on August 25, 2004, at 14:34:07
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by jeenobeano on August 24, 2004, at 20:45:09
Hi. When I tapered off Effexor one of the main things I noticed was that my hot flashes increased with a vengeance. I'm 48 and in menopause already.
I'm glad to know someone else used the method of taking the caps apart in order to taper Effexor. I mentioned this to a couple of docs who were horrified at first but when I explained I was careful to distribute among the big ones, the medium sized ones and the little ones, each time they seemed to feel like it was a pretty good idea after all. I actually still got brain zaps going from three tiny granules to none.
Marsha
Posted by Californiakc on August 25, 2004, at 15:54:28
In reply to Re: Suffering and looking for answers, posted by owensmar on August 25, 2004, at 14:34:07
You know, I never realized that the brain zaps were Effexor related until I started reading boards like this one! Now there's GOTTA be something wrong with something that makes your brain do that!
Posted by Evita on August 25, 2004, at 17:36:01
In reply to Re: Ah, food and whoopee..., posted by Stryker88 on March 30, 2004, at 16:29:09
Yeah, I have gained 10 pounds since starting Effexor 150mg in May. I have NEVER had a weight problem, I was usually considered underweight. I have been taking very good care of myself, Yoga, cardio and healthy eating. I quit cold turkey 6 days ago. Does anyone know what causes the weight gain? I can understand feeling better and wanting to eat but I wonder if the drug slows the metabolism?
Posted by Cybele on August 26, 2004, at 13:38:57
In reply to Re: Ah, food and whoopee..., posted by Evita on August 25, 2004, at 17:36:01
> Yeah, I have gained 10 pounds since starting Effexor 150mg in May. I have NEVER had a weight problem, I was usually considered underweight. I have been taking very good care of myself, Yoga, cardio and healthy eating. I quit cold turkey 6 days ago. Does anyone know what causes the weight gain? I can understand feeling better and wanting to eat but I wonder if the drug slows the metabolism?
I'm pretty sure it causes carb cravings for some of us. I have gained 10 pounds in my 2 months on Effexor XR 75mg, and I do think I've eaten about 500-600 extra calories a day in that time. I've been eating like a hobbit (breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon...). My metabolic rate seems to be unchanged, and I do exercise a lot. However, for many people (especially women), depression and weight gain may be due to untreated hypothyroidism. Be sure your doctor has checked your TSH.
Posted by Cybele on August 26, 2004, at 14:00:22
In reply to Re: Ah, food and whoopee..., posted by Evita on August 25, 2004, at 17:36:01
On the other hand...
Dr. Goldberg has observed a 15-20% reduction in basal metabolic rate when many patients are on ADs. See the link below. So maybe my own weight gain is 1/2 that, and 1/2 carb cravings. HTH!
Posted by lorily on August 26, 2004, at 14:54:25
In reply to Re: Ah, food and whoopee... » Evita, posted by Cybele on August 26, 2004, at 13:38:57
Good point about the Hypothyroidism. My TSH was sky high when I found out I had it. When I got the thyroid under control the endo suggested I discontinue the ADs. At the time I thought she was nuts herself, I had never felt so good. That was a bit over a year ago. At the present time I no longer take anything, stopped the depakote, stopped the effexor, and recently stopped the trazadone (within a week) I've been sleeping great, too. I also stopped smoking almost 2 weeks ago and am using the patch 24 hrs a day and still am sleeping. I haven't done that on my own for years, each time I'd try to cut out the traz,, I'd have to get back on in a couple/three days. I think anyone with depression should definately have their thyroid levels checked, SOOOOOOOO many people I know depressed have a thyroid problem!!!!
Posted by corafree on August 27, 2004, at 14:39:46
In reply to Re: Ah, food and whoopee..., posted by lorily on August 26, 2004, at 14:54:25
Hi. I have hypothyroidism too. Could you share your strength of med pls? TGIF cf
Posted by lorily on August 27, 2004, at 15:00:00
In reply to Hypothyroidism. » lorily, posted by corafree on August 27, 2004, at 14:39:46
Currently I am on 100 mg or mcg - whichever it is I'm not positive of Synthroid. I was up to 125 for a period and may be going down to 75 soon if all is going well. Just had the blood work done last week.
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